November 24-30: This Week in Black History

November 24: This Day in Black History

FEATURED: Robert McFerrin, Sr., Operatic Barritone 1865:Mississippi passed the so-called “Black Codes” that barred blacks from jury service, testifying against whites in trials, bearing arms and attending white schools. 1868:Writer & Composer Scott Joplin, the King of Ragtime, was born on this day in 1868 in Texarkana, Texas. He passed in 1917 at the age of 49. 1892:The 1st Black college football game was played between Biddle University (Johnson C. Smith) and Livingstone College on this date, Thanksgiving Day, in 1892. 1897:Inventor John Lee Love received a patent for the Pencil Sharpener. 1912:Teddy Wilson was born. He was a jazz musician and studied piano and violin at Tuskegee Institute. He passed in 1986, aged 73. 1914:Inventor, forensic scientist & physical therapist Bessie Blount was born. She passed in 2009. 1923:Juggy Murray, Jr. was born. He was an influential rhythm and blues music producer. He passed in 2005. 1938:Happy Birthday to retired NBA player Oscar ‘The Big O’ Robertson who turns 75 today. 1943:Dorie Miller, a messman on the USS Arizona who manned a machine-gun and shot down four planes during the Pearl Harbor attack, died on this date in 1943. Miller was on the carrier Liscone Bay as it sank after being hit by a torpedo. 1943:Happy Birthday to Basketball Hall of Famer & Mayor Dave Bing who turns 70 today. 1956:’Blueberry Hill’ by Fats Domino was the #1 R&B song this day. 1956:Happy Birthday to Terry Lewis who turns 57 today. He is 1/2 the duo Jam & Lewis songwriting and record production team. 1956: LaVern Baker’s ‘Jim Dandy’ was released. It soared to #1 R&B and #17 pop. 1961:Howlin’ Wolf arrived in London for his first European tour. 1979:’Enough is Enough’ by Donna Summer & Barbara Streisand reached #1 pop and #20 R&B. 1975:Happy Birthday to actress Danielle Nicolet 1982:Barack Obama, Sr. died in an auto accident in Kenya. He was 46 years old. 1985:Singer Big Joe Turner died of a heart attack. He was 74 years old. 1993:Electric Blues guitarist, singer & songwriter Albert Collins passed, aged 61. He was an inspiration for many such as Robert Cray, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimmie Vaughn. 1994:Prince performed “Peach” on the European MTV Awards. He claimed the song was a “cover tune by a good friend.” 2001:Pop, R&B, Eurodance & gospel singer Melanie Thornton died in a plane crash in Switzerland. She was 34 years old. 2004:Rapper Shameik Moye was fatally shot this day. He was only 19 years old. 2006:Robert McFerrin, Sr. passed away, age 85. He was an operatic baritone and the 1st African American man to sing at the metropolitan Opera in NYC. 2012:Ernie ‘Hands’ Warlick passed away, aged 80. He was a former football player and a two time AFL championships with the Buffalo Bills.

In February, Jeff Johnson talked about Black History Month coming to a close. He said it shouldn’t be celebrated just once a year but everyday or every week. He asked that we set aside at least one evening or one day a week to talk about black history and to keep it alive. We plan to honor his request with a gallery every week this month to celebrate significant events, timelines, births and to remember those who have passed away.